Tony Award and Grammy Award-winning legend Jennifer Holliday sits down with Just Nik at WBLS to share the untold story behind the iconic one-take recording of “And I’m Telling You I’m Not Going” — and how Frankie Crocker helped make it a hit when even her own record label didn’t believe in it.
Jennifer opens up about fighting for her character Effie in Dreamgirls, battling depression, filing for bankruptcy, being diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, and how she found her way back. Plus, she talks about her upcoming performance at the McDonald’s Gospel Fest alongside the Clark Sisters and LeAndria Johnson, her new album Dream Woman, and the lesson she learned about letting go.
📍 Topics covered:
The one-take story behind “And I’m Telling You”
How Frankie Crocker changed everything
Fighting to keep Effie in the second act of Dreamgirls
Surviving depression, bankruptcy, and MS
The Dreamgirls Broadway revival
Skincare tips at 65
New album Dream Woman & what’s next
🎙️ Listen to WBLS — New York’s #1 R&B station.

